Ayoub Al-Farisi, Member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the Central Bank of Libya, wrote an article stating:
Central banks are the backbone of financial stability and economic sovereignty for any country. Due to this critical position, they have become a permanent strategic target for complex cyberattacks. Recently (especially during 2025 and 2026), the cyber environment at both regional and international levels has undergone qualitative transformations; attacks are no longer limited to traditional hacking attempts aimed at stealing money, but have evolved into more dangerous forms that threaten overall financial and institutional stability.
Today, the digital space of major financial institutions is facing an advanced wave relying on artificial intelligence tools and automation, as well as targeting critical infrastructure through sophisticated phishing campaigns (such as AsyncRAT spyware recently detected in the region). This situation is not isolated, but part of a broader regional reality; the rapid digital transformation has placed neighboring countries in direct confrontation with these challenges. For example, Egypt faces around 1,000 cyberattacks daily due to digital expansion, while Saudi Arabia is among the most targeted countries globally because of its economic position and financial weight, which has pushed it to significantly strengthen its protection systems, ranking first globally in the Cybersecurity Index (GCI).
Despite the severity of this landscape and the rising threats in countries such as Libya, the Central Bank’s ability appears strong and consistent in repelling these attacks, a confidence based on facts and strict structural measures:
A fortified and advanced digital infrastructure: The Central Bank relies on a digital defense wall built according to the highest international security standards. This infrastructure not only repels immediate attempts but also has the ability to anticipate vulnerabilities and address them proactively, thanks to continuous monitoring technologies and systems capable of countering modern hacking methods driven by intelligent software.
Protection of technical supply chains and sectoral integration: The Central Bank recognizes that its security is part of its partners’ security; therefore, it enforces a comprehensive protection framework covering critical interconnections between itself, commercial banks, and operators of national electronic payment systems (such as LYPAY or OnePay). This sectoral harmony ensures there is no “weak link” that attackers can exploit to penetrate the core financial system.
Comprehensive governance and strict regulation: Protection is not limited to the technical aspect but extends to a set of regulatory policies and binding frameworks for all affiliated financial institutions. These frameworks ensure full compliance with security protocols and make the entire banking sector a unified and cohesive front.
The resilience of the Central Bank’s infrastructure and its high ability to adapt to emerging digital threats in 2026 reaffirm its role as a guardian of monetary stability, proving that cybersecurity in its regulatory philosophy is not merely a technical option, but a fundamental pillar for protecting national sovereignty and the country’s economic future.
